Briefly

January 17, 2001

Power Plant Emissions

Exposures to radioactive emissions released from the Connecticut Yankee nuclear power plant in Haddam were so low that they had no ``detectable influence on cancer incidences'' for residents living near the plant, a new study shows.

The study, conducted by the nonprofit Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering in Hartford, analyzed data from the Connecticut tumor registry that covered the period from 1976 until 1995. The nuclear plant finally closed in the fall of 1996.

``The committee found that exposures to radionuclides emitted from [the plant] are so low as to be negligible,'' said the report's conclusion. ``The committee also found no meaningful associations among the cancers studied -- pediatric leukemia, adult chronic leukemia, multiple myeloma, and thyroid cancer -- and proximity to'' the Connecticut Yankee plant.

The 31-page report states that ``additional study of this topic is unlikely to produce any positive correlation'' between the emissions from the plant and cancer cases in the general public. The 11-person study team also analyzed wind patterns and found that there was no statistical impact in all 169 cities and towns, said Michael Werle, the academy's executive director.

The science academy, which has also conducted previous studies on radon and the controversial gasoline additive MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether), was chartered by the state legislature in 1976. The report was commissioned by the Nuclear Energy Advisory Council, a state legislative task force.

The study will be discussed during a public hearing at 7 p.m. Jan. 25 at the Haddam-Killingworth High School auditorium in Higganum.

Aetna Rated Excellent

Aetna U.S. Healthcare of Connecticut has received the highest possible accreditation -- ``excellent'' -- from the National Committee for Quality Assurance, an upgrade from the previous rating of ``commendable.''

Only about 30 percent of all commercial health plans, including Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut and ConnectiCare, have been given an ``excellent'' designation.

To earn the grade, health plans must score high on such performance measures as rates of immunization and mammography among members, prenatal care, eye exams for diabetics, claims processing, access to care and member satisfaction.

Kaman Contract

The aerospace subsidiary of Kaman Corp. has won a $21 million contract to deliver five K-MAX external lift helicopters through the U.S. State Department to Peru.

The aircraft will be used to provide supplies and equipment to police forces involved in Peru's anti-drug operations.

It is the first K-MAX sale to the U.S. government, and the first use of the helicopter for law enforcement, the company said.

Deliveries are scheduled for March and April.

NeuVis Names Chief

Shelton-based NeuVis Inc. on Tuesday said software executive Bill Lyons will be the company's new president and chief executive, succeeding Arun Gupta, who will remain the company's chairman and become its chief technology officer.

Lyons worked at IBM for 18 years, and more recently served as chief executive of Finjan Software Inc., an Internet security software developer, and ParcPlace-Digitalk Inc., another software company. He also worked for the Ashton-Tate Corp., another software firm.

NeuVis is a maker of e-commerce software for business-to-business uses. The firm employs about 150.< The Hartford Card

The Hartford is introducing a Visa stored-value card in 25 states as an optional way for homeowners to receive claim settlements.

Similar to a pre-funded debit card, The Hartford Insurance Claim Card can be used anyplace that accepts Visa, including ATMs, banks and the Internet. It will be programmed with the amount of the policyholder's settlement.

Although Connecticut is not one of the initial pilot states, the card is expected to be made available here later this year. The Hartford Financial Services Group plans to expand the card idea to auto and other personal insurance claims.

Amica Mutual has been rolling out a Visa stored-value card to auto and homeowner's claimants to use for temporary housing expenses or emergency work by housing contractors.

And Standard Insurance Co. is offering a Visa stored-value card as an alternative way for people to get monthly benefits under Standard's group long-term disability insurance programs.